Knowing how to use a map and compass are crucial skills for any hiker. If you don’t know how to use a map and compass, then you are not only missing an essential skill when taking to the mountains, you could also be putting your life in danger.

This workshop will help you understand the information provided on a topographical map, the proper use of a compass, and how to put the two together. You'll learn about magnetic north, true north, and magnetic declination, and pairing a compass to a map. After covering these fundamentals, you'll get an opportunity to practice orienteering skills in the woods around the Green Mountain Club campus. This interactive workshop is a great introduction to navigation and map reading which are essential skills for anyone hiking trails or heading into the woods off-trail (bushwhacking).

The workshop will be led by Gordon DuBois, who is a member of the Green Mountain Club, Northeast Kingdom Chapter. Gordon has summited the Adirondack 46, the NH 48 in winter, the Northeast 111, was the 103rd person to summit the NE highest 100 in winter and completed a winter traverse of the NH Presidential Range. He has also summited 451 of the highest peaks in New Hampshire and 65 in Vermont. The majority of these mountains in VT and NH are trail less and require the use of a map, compass and GPS. He has also thru hiked the Appalachian Trail, the Long Trail, the Cohos Trail (NH) the John Muir Trail (CA), The IAT in Quebec and the Bridger Range Trail in Montana.